The Way of The Cross
Our Jesus is condemned to die
Oh, Savior, now from Earth you part.
You do not sigh, nor do you weep,
Though our sins have pierced your heart.
Dear Jesus bears the Holy Cross,
Our Savior of all humankind,
For us, you start this journey now,
Still endless love for us you find.
Our Jesus falls beneath the Cross;
So dreadful now to bear this pain.
Dear Jesus, when we fall in sin,
Please help us rise up once again.
Our Savior meets his Mother dear,
Mary, anguished and depressed,
Please help us face our sorrows too…
Live up to all our trying tests.
A man named Simon of Cyrene
Appears to help our Savior’s plight
To lift the weight of his great Cross…
Lord, burden us to spread your light.
Veronica wipes our Savior’s face.
Look now! His imprint there to stay!
Please on our souls your imprint make
And help us keep it there, we pray.
Dear Jesus falls down on the path,
Again now for the second time.
But soon he rises to go on,
Lord, help us up to stay in line.
Our Jesus meets some women now,
They kneel down to mourn and weep.
“Weep not for me,” He says to them,
“But for your children, the lost sheep.”
Our Jesus falls again, this time
His journey's nearly at an end.
Dear Jesus, when we fall in sin,
Please grant us wisdom to amend.
Our Lord now stripped of all his clothes—
This torture is so sad and cruel.
Please, Jesus, strip our souls of sin,
Our hearts and souls you always rule.
Our Jesus now nailed to His Cross—
Your death, dear Lord, is very near.
Sweet Savior nail our souls to you,
And grant us grace to have no fear.
Oh, the dreaded Crucifixion!
Our Jesus now so humbly dies,
While all the sins and sins to come…
Are placed before his tear-filled eyes.
Our Lord is gently taken down,
In his dear Mother’s arms is placed,
Oh Mary, Mother of our God,
Help ease our sorrows to be faced.
Now, Jesus placed within his tomb,
To rise again on Easter Day—
Redeemer of all humankind,
With us forever you will stay!
Oh, great day of Resurrection!
From tomb he rises up to sky,
With all God’s angels by his side
He joins his Father up on high.
Oh, great day of Resurrection!
He rose again on Easter Day!
Redeemer of all humankind,
With us forever you will stay!
Sandra M. Haight
~1st Place~
Contest: Jesus
Sponsor: Anthony Slausen
Judged: 07/01/2016
~1st Place~
Contest: Death and Resurrection of Christ
Sponsor: Isaiah Zerbst
Judged: 04/07/2015

jesus died and jerusalem went black
the wind howled and the sky thundered loudly
people ran in fear as the earth moaned
but the beloved stayed
jesus was buried in the early evening
"jesus fortold his coming death"
those who believed in him carried his limp body
and the mary's and others followed weeping
they washed and anointed him with myrrh and aloe
wrapping him gently in a linen cloth with no words spoken
in sadness they rolled a huge stone over the entrance
leaving him in silence within his tomb
it was in the hush of dawn on the third day the mary's returned
they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty
the soldiers who had been guarding the tomb had fled in fear
an angel in brilliant light appeared
telling them that christ had risen from the dead
frightened and in shock they ran to tell the apostles
"on the third day he arose" nicene creed
after his rising, jesus appeared to many
he could eat, walk and talk to those he visited
showing them the holes in his hands, side and feet
and allowing them to touch him
for forty days he remained and on the fortieth day he rose
he was carried up into heaven
"christ died for our sins" paul, the apostle wrote
and we the followers celebrate his death on good friday
and his rising on easter sunday . . . defeating death
_________________________
April 1, 2015
Ekphrasis ( highly visual poetry)
For the contest, Resurrection of Christ, sponsor, Isaiah Zerbst
Honorable Mention

Today I am going to hop my way to my brother.
To tell him how I feel about not being together.
I thought I could be so kind.
I saw him by the road side and I was blind.
I could just end it all by now.
Today I tried a cow.
It really was hard to do.
Then I hired a semi crew.
I watched carefully, darn he is fast!
My name is Happy ?, I'm Easter's brother who is sad.
He painted eggs that made me jealous and bad.
I hopped one day and he threw an egg at me.
My heart became really cold that memory was key.
I finally thought of it an accident really is going to happen.
Happy Easter is going to be laugh-en.
Good to see you, I said to a mystery man.
I was told not to associate with any human.
It was my last resort.
The man had a sports car a beautiful sort.
I was desperate, now, I'm in a bunny court.

Beloved, lovely roses: gift of God and lover’s flower,
Spread your colored petals and cradle tender showers.
While admiring the blossoms with their beauty to behold,
Ought we not to know the Tender of such lovely garden groves?
For He lovingly and thoughtfully wields His pruning shears
To cut away the stems of old for fuller future years.
He cultivates and feeds them. He attends them as a Father
Looking daily to their needs; so faithfully He waters.
From the dawn of morning dew until the setting sun arrays
Caring always for His own until that great appointed day…
When the Gardener comes to claim each one the earth held as its own.
He gently picks it at its peak and for His pleasure takes it home.
As God did one glorious morning, when the Perfect Rose had bloomed.
He rolled away the stone and met with Mary at the tomb.
There the sweetest Rose of Sharon rose that we die not alone.
But be gathered for a garden grove, surrounding heavens throne.

I came to set the captives free
I gave them a chance to see me
But they got it wrong, didn’t hear
The wonderful truth I came to share
Father forgive them they know not what they do
I tried to tell them the truth about love
But they shut their ears and walked away
Afraid of what this love would entail.
So they set out a plan to bring me down
Father forgive they know not what they do.
When Judas came with massed arms troupes
And on my face he placed his kiss.
They took me away and put me on trial.
They mocked me and beat me and said I must die
Father forgive them they know not what they do
When they led me away to the hill of death
And stuck cruel nails in my hands and feet
When they lifted my cross high in the sky
And jeered and taunted the king of the Jews
Father forgive them they know not what they do
As my hour draws near and darkness descends
The man next to me speaks his final plea
You are the son of God and when you’re in heaven
Please Lord please remember me
Father forgive them for they know not what they do
The sky grew darker and the pain increases
I now will take the whole sin of the world
This weight it engulfs me like a cloak.
My father’s eyes in sorrows turn away
And all I can say is father forgive them
The story of Easter is very well known
And we marvel at Jesus for the words that he said
BUT WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW IT’S OVER AND DONE
How will you respond to this wonderful love?

Judas betrayed Jesus’s whereabouts
End, was near
Son of God, knew this
Universe of the Son of the Divine Father, restored
Sins of man forgiven, Prince of our Universal domain, alive in the hearts of his children

The"tail" I have to tell, starts off really sad.
My sweet doggie Murphy died and my heart, it hurt so bad.
Until one day in early spring, I got a call that made my heart sing!
There were some puppies born in Waco, the daddy -Jasper, and mommy- Juneau.
Four little boys, three little girls. But the picture of one boy, made my heart twirl!
So I waited for a week or two, to meet my little puppy-oh so new!
I named him Humphrey, such a handsome boy! He has brought laughter back and oh what a joy! He's super cute, and very smart. Many would say, he's a work of art!
He's learning new tricks, and how to potty outside. So many rules to learn and abide!
Humphrey is growing so quickly, the puppy breath will soon disappear. He will be an adult in less than a year! Every stage of his life is a blessing from above. I guess that's the true meaning of what we call "puppy love".

Chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs,
Fluffy chicks and lambs at play,
The spring of the year is a beautiful time,
And we celebrate as the time draws nigh,
To remember the reason for all our good cheer;
For now is the time The Resurrection draws near.
We celebrate Jesus who conquered the foe,
Of Sin and Death and delivered our souls,
Up from the abyss where we languished in wait,
Beneath the burden of unspeakable hate.
He marched into Hell and in triumph brought out,
All who are His and they came with a shout;
Victory is ours because Jesus lives,
He's salvaged our souls and He's cleansed and forgives,
All who will come to Him, on us He bestows,
A robe of His Righteousnesss as it was foretold!
We honor the Sacrifice made by Father and Son,
And we honor the love that redeemed us as one.
We celebrate the Victory won over our foe.
We celebrate Jesus, our Conquering Hero.
Judy Ball
"BUT I AM TELLING YOU THIS STRANGE AND WONDERFUL SECRET;
WE SHALL NOT ALL DIE, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE GIVEN NEW BODIES.
IT WILL ALL HAPPEN IN A MOMENT, IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, WHEN THE TRUMPET IS BLOWN; FOR THERE WILL BE A TRUMPET BLAST FROM THE SKY AND ALL CHRISTIANS WHO HAVE DIED WILL COME ALIVE WITH NEW BODIES THAT WILL NEVER DIE.
AND THEN WE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE WILL SUDDENLY HAVE NEW BODIES TOO FOR OUR EARTHLY BODIES WE HAVE NOW THAT CAN DIE MUST BE TRANSFORMED INTO HEAVENLY BODIES THAT CAN NOT PERISH . WHEN THAT HAPPENS THEN AT LAST THIS SCRIPTURE WILL COME TRUE,"DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O DEATH WHERE IS THY VICTORY? WHERE IS THY STING? FOR SIN, THE STING THAT CAUSES DEATH IS GONE AND THE LAW WHICH REVEALS OUR SIN WILL NO LONGER BE OUR JUDGE. HOW WE THANK GOD FOR ALL OF THIS. IT IS HE WHO MAKES US VICTORIOUS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
1Corinthians 15:51-58
For LindaMarie's Easter Inspirations Contest

A crowded table, all suspended in shock
The sound of the shot dimming to a ‘knock’
Only silence, except for the marching clock
The weapon still smoking; an anonymous glock
WHO KILLED THE EASTER BUNNY?
Loud cries arise from the elongated table,
Jack Frost is shocked, the Tooth Fairy unable
To speak whilst Santa is checking the stable
For clues on the erstwhile maidservant Mable
WHO KILLED THE EASTER BUNNY?
They searched for hours, called in C.S.I,
Panic set in, would the children all cry?
Sandman confirmed the bunny had died
Batman suspected somebody had lied
WHO KILLED THE EASTER BUNNY?
Guests were quizzed, interrogations began
The mystery unfolded when Santa Claus ran,
Grabbing the pies, he tried escaping in a van
But was stopped in his tracks by superman
SANTA KILLED THE EASTER BUNNY!

Faulkner's comment, I imagine him
tossing it off like Yogi Berra between games
of a doubleheader. The hero, the expert, the virtuoso
has no real control, is going to feel
unmitigated, unsparing forces, a mighty sun
swallowed by a black hole, coughed up into a big sky.
The past isn't dead. It isn't even past.
Versus Wayne Gretsky's formulation.
When I think of my death, I think of returning
the chemicals and microorganisms I borrowed.
If my plane goes down, when we hit the ground
fruits with names will be waiting - squawbush if
in the desert uplands, rose hips on a Vermont farm.
The past is skating to where the puck will be.
I realize I have a religion, a science fiction
the size of Jupiter which is, as these things go, small:
Chardin's theory unifying physical matter, rocks
and all sentient beings into one - here's the catch -
conscious organism. Having said that, why not claim
the same for the entire universe? Rock + DNA = soil.
The past isn't dead. It isn't even past.
These trees cannot feed me.
Self-sufficiency is relevant only in context of community, economy.
Every drug, every vitamin is wrung from plants,
tools and shelter are ore.
A tincture, infusion, decoction, a douche, a compress, poultice, a salve, a syrup.
A war president needs war.
The past is skating to where the puck will be.
5 a.m., first of Spring.
Robins still in flocks, not paired off. But crows
mating on the sky - two couples dating
a sign of luck, that Celtic god passing Peter talked about.
8,000 generations, I reach only to my grandparents
but history and the naming of things extend our vision.
The past isn't dead. It isn't even past.
I was handcuffed but not beaten. Humiliated but not insulted.
And when I came before the judge, he was uninterested
in vengeance or restitution. He had his own death before him,
probably. I keep wanting to go back
to before the big bang, reading books about the cosmos,
FLO, LUCA, the texture of reality, consciousness, God-seeking.
The past is skating to where the puck will be.
For the next 5-10 years my goals are: geographically
compact and contiguous Congressional districts, term limits
for Federal legislators and judges, election of the president
by direct popular vote, public financing, spending limits and free
air time for candidates, abolish UN vetoes, consent of the governed
before governments can sit in global councils.
The past isn't dead. It isn't even past.
No greater tragedy than the death of your children.
Yet you live on, eyes drained of color. Old,
you make plans. To know the names of every flower
in the temperate zone. Every bird by its song.
Just as you're about to reach your goal, a tipping point
comes along: a nuclear detonation or it gets too cold.
The past is skating to where the puck will be.

Easter's the time we remember
that death is never the end,
that just because someone has left us
it doesn't mean we've lost a friend.
For all folk live on after dying
not just our Saviour you know.
for everyone who has departed
had to have somewhere to go.
Most folk will lose someone who loves them,
the Reaper will take them one day.
So where is the place that he takes them,
I'm sure it's not that far away.
They no longer have arms that can hold us
or lips that can comfort our ears,
but they stay all around us forever,
sharing our joys and our fears.
For Easter was the Resurrection
when Jesus came back from the cross
to prove to the ones who had loved him
that death wasn't such a great loss.
Folk think this was just a symbol
and not what life's really about,
but listen to those who have left you
they'll whisper away all your doubt.
There's no reason why you should believe me
and death is where it really ends,
if so then I'm still very happy,
sharing love with my fantasy friends.
Ivor G Davies

Oh my gosh it’s almost Easter
Time to get off my fat keister.
To buy a dozen eggs, or more
Coz now there’s five kids over four.
And one of them always cries
Painting eggs with stupid dyes.
I almost forgot the candy bars;
Who needs new brakes for the cars?
I don’t have time to talk to you
Where are the peeps or poops or pooh?
And then I’ll stay up way to late
Hiding eggs for Pete Rabbit’s sake.
I got to get all this stuff done
To make the holiday more fun.
But someday I’ll be all done with
This crazy Easter Bunny myth.
Wait! I’ll save a pile of money
By killing off the Easter Bunny.
And lay him down in a casket
On plastic grass from a basket.
3/9/2013 For Clue Contest

Death where is thy sting, Oh grave where is thy victory?
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.
The Bible tells us this in the book of Psalms, Chapter 116, verse 15.
As a clear picture it paints.
Everyone looks at death in a different way
Some believe that death is an end to all existence, so they say.
Christians believe that death will bring them from one life on this sod.
To a life of Heavenly bliss with their Eternal God.
In other words to be absent from the body,
is to be present with the Lord God Almighty.
When someone dies, we should realize that they will only be absent for awhile.
Then remember our hope and be happy and smile.
For they have fought their battle already anyway
And no longer on this sinful earth do they have to stay.
Remember that Jesus conquered death at Easter time.
That He chose to die to save all of mankind.
But death didn't keep Him in the tomb you see.
He conquered it and rose the third day to set us free.
As in Adam all men shall die. even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death and then we will all thrive!!!!!!!
*DEATH

The bunny is dead.
What, didn't you hear?
Got shot in the head.
Got shot by the pier.
Maybe it was love
or just an affair.
Had a couple of
romps with a hot hare.
The bunny's mad wife
had hired a gun
and ended his life.
It had to be done.

They watched as he was taken away in the night,
They ran away, though some would follow his plight.
Taken to a trial that was ever so crude,
Taken to a prison to be beaten and treated so rude.
Sentenced to die in the most hideous way,
Sentenced to the horrors that would befall him that day.
Long was the walk to that place on the hill,
Long was his time of suffering, submitting to their will.
The sky cried its tears and thundered its breath,
The sky screamed aloud at the time of his death.
Taken down and put in his mother's loving arms,
Taken down now, the world would forever remember this harm.
Entombed was his body, wrapped in haste,
Entombed was his body, laid away now to fall into waste.
That first day of the week His light re-entered the world,
That first day of the week, the head cloth lay aside and curled.
It was a day He should still have been dead,
It was a day, the angel told them, "HE IS RISEN, AS HE SAID" !

It's been nine years, I have counted the tears-
they have made trails of guilt
worried into my heart
then filled with loneliness and bitter despair
but by your grace I have been shown...
For the first time, in these nine years, I have not wept
nor held a vigil to honor our grief
though the loss still burns, this time it is transformed
Peace from your love still reaches through death
and through your eternal love I am reborn
It is Good Friday.
When God took your spirit home
and left me dying to know,
how to love him for his sacrifice
when he asked me to give up you?
How do I heal this death and rise with you in his arms?
Through your love I was born, and in your arms I grew
and it has been your love the kept me whole
that taught me how to be reborn
for even though your body has gone
your words lost in the wind and breath no more
The essence of grace and strength you lived
- it grows still in your daughter soul
My being and existence came from your womb
my heart and mind shaped by your enlightenment
I have lived a life you gave me and for once
I live it in pride to honor your sacrifice
your words giving me the guidance I'd lost nine years ago.
Alas, I've come to know, that as you died
and went home with our Lord, you saved me from my death
not in your dying, my grief and love can attest,
but in your living strength and loving example
you showed me how to live a life
open to our Father's gift
We knew it would not wait, but the parting was too fast.
I sat in thought three days before your sleep and asked,
"In three days time my savior died, I wonder hence
what of my soul will rise with his?"
And now sitting Easter morning,
holding my sons candy-filled basket,
I realized Three days passed.
He took you home Friday morn, but left me love,
that eternal love that never dies
whose comfort is unending
I honor your love by giving it to my children
and Easter morning I felt your hug, your kiss, and knew
you have never left me
.
Though God took you home Mom
I know you have never left me
for as our Savior died and rose
you too still live in my heart,
showing me proof our Father's blessings
because you, my love, are my soul and all ready there
there fore I am strong enough to give this pain up
to honor his sacrifice and transcend,
to be humbled by the grace and mercy
that could forgive such lost lambs as I

There he stood, the Son of God and man
His looks was average; like ordinary men
Messiah in our presence! Yet, so few believed
In spite of amazing miracles none of which had been seen before
I tried to move a bit closer; away from the throng
Was allowed no entry within the Governor’s gates
Yet, I could see through the tall, marble columns
He stood still; silent and regal just as a king
The enemy smirked as he hung amongst the crowd; and thought he had won
Predictably, pride once more would preempt his game
My Lord in humility remained, though sadness and pain reflected in his eyes
All alone, he faced accusing tongues and yet, he gave no response
Dead silence hovered within the Prefect’s tall gates as he queried
‘Are you King of the Jews?’ My Lord replied, ‘It is as you say.’
Caiaphas and others, ruled by ego, it seemed, became bitterly enraged!
Deadly pride indwelled; self assured, none thought to pray for discernment
He was beaten and mocked; he was boldly spat upon
The one who cleanse the lepers, and revived some long dead
Not in secret were these miracles performed; but in the presence of multitudes
Some with eyes could not see, and the darkness cast shadows of deeper doubt
He was crowned with thorns; a mockery; made to bear the massive cross
And as he passed before me, silent tears flooded my eyes
What am I that he should suffer bitter humiliation and death on my account?
I was on the road to Hell and Eternal Love has come to rescue me!
As he hung upon that wooden cross, captivated by numbness, was I
He cried, ‘It is finished!’ Then death lost its hold- the veil, forever torn!
In the deepest level of Hades, the enemy cowered as he hides
For again he has failed.. Purest Love has overcome ultimate hate
~*~

I watched them drag him away
We all watched as they dragged him down the road
I was angry and sad
I couldn’t bear to look upon his bruised face
I remember him too well
He forgave me
I was termed an adulteress
And was brought before him for judgment
But he shunned my accusers
And he gave me a second chance
And now I am helpless to help
I thought they would protest
They all loved him yesterday
But they wanted blood
it was like a free show
I turned away, fell on my face and wept
I watched them flog him
I watched them bruise him
And I prayed
I prayed so fervently
That He would take the life of all of them
All of them who betrayed
All the soldiers that so eagerly whipped and mocked
My heart was bitter and heavy
I only prayed he won't suffer
But he suffered
Suffered from their betrayal
Suffered because they loved him no more
And as they put the crown of thorns on his head
I cried out
I stood there till he breathe his last breath
Watching him
And when he said "forgive them"
That was all I heard but I felt like he saw me
Through all the shouting and chanting
I felt like he saw only me
I felt like he was speaking to me and I turned away
I rent my clothes unbelieving of his love for these people
I felt the earth quake and heard the stories
I wept wondering what would be left of the earth
But somehow I knew he would come back
At first it was just grief
I refused to believe him dead
But then the rumors came
The messiah has risen
I thought it was the wicked that had come to taunt us
But I heard the story from John
About a free ticket to heaven
And I took it without a second thought
He is the reason I sing
So let me celebrate Easter
Let me celebrate love, resurrection and grace

As modern Christians, we overlook
the meaning and purpose of Good Friday,
when Christ was crucified on a dreary day...
to bear our sins on His shoulder.
From the Via Dolorosa to distant Golgotha
too heavy and painful was the wooden cross
He carried through the streets of Jerusalem
as people spitted on Him and laughed;
and with deep sadness and pity:
Jesus told the weeping women...
not to cry for him but for their children.
And one of them wiped the blood off
His pale face with a soft cloth...
to comfort Him in His final hours.
The mocking and laughter continued at the gate,
as Simon of Cyrene was ordered to carry the cross
to Calvary and before nine o' clock...
Jesus faced an excruciating crucifixion
by the Romans soldiers who had
the sharpest nails for his hands and feet;
and Jesus words loudly spoken in the Temple echoed again
in that afternoon getting cloudy and dark,
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who murdered
the Prophets..." But the wickedness of the crowds
was too extreme to understand their despicable deed.
And there crucified as an impostor,
He cried out to His Father, " Eli, Eli...lama sabachthani?"
There was no answer...only a deadening silence had prevailed.
But Jesus trusting in Him whispered," Father, into your
hands I commit my spirit." And in saying so He expired.
Soon after there was a powerful earthquake strong enough to shake
the Temple's foundations...day became night
as everyone ran downhill so terrified.
The astonished centurion, witnessing the horrifying event,
exclaimed," Surely He was the Son of God!"
Like good Christians, we must remember the long and agonizing hours
of Christ passion and death...oh, how precious
was the divine blood He spilled to redeem us!
And as He was resurrected, so we'll be resurrected by the trumpets!

It's been seven years, I almost forgot-
not this day: but the distance we've climbed.
I couldn't remember my age, because it correlates
to years we've been apart.
I forgot to be apprehensive, this time it was sneaky.
It waited for the first happy holiday wishing
from some idiot to remind me.
It was Good Friday.
When God took your spirit home
and left me dying to know,
how to love him for his sacrifice
when he asked me to give up you?
How do I heal this death and rise with you in his arms?
I blasphemy, I know, but you loved him more
in sight of you that graceful place grows
pale in and foreign in mine eye.
Alas, I fail the test, I could not be as strong as you.
We knew it would not wait, but the parting was still to fast.
I sat in thought three days before your sleep and asked,
"In three days time my savior died, I wonder hence
what of my soul will rise with his?"
And sitting easter morning,
holding some idiots well wished basket,
I realised Three days passed.
He took you home and left me lost on Friday morn,
I wailed my loss through Saturdays more,
and Easter morning I felt your last hug, your kiss good bye.
I cursed my self for asking, if my soul would rise with his,
because you, my love, are my soul and all ready there
there fore I am not strong enough to give this pain up
to honor his sacrifice and transcend, I sit still lost and wonder:
I believe and I love, but I don't know how to rise
I don't now how to live again.
Faith crushed I don't think I can trust.
I am the shell of your grace trying once more
to live in the love that failed me, as I failed the gift of his sacrifice.

My God, How It Hurts
We have forgotten
How dangerous is this man
Refusing not to do miracles
Abjuring not to love
Going beyond His mother's pain
Beyond being a good son
To do the Father's will.
We have forgotten
The depth of evil
He allowed to drench Him
Bleed and bruise Him
Beyond all human endurance
Gleefully denying Him
For whom He was born to be.
We have forgotten
The love of the Father
So fully developed for us
He had to turn away
At that moment on the cruel cross
When God-given life
Was given up.
We have forgotten
How dangerous is this man
Whose love was more than life
This Son of God
Whose promise to us meant so much
That He shrugged off death
And He arose.
by E. Marshall Evans

~What Easter Means To me~
Passover is here once again
Nisan fourteenth, but what do we gain
Some have chocolate eggs, that's what they wait for.
But what does it mean this date we adore.
It is now called Easter, in our modern times
But what is the story behind this old crime
The death of Jesus although long ago foretold
Was not to give eggs and bunnies to hold.
The death of Jesus was to wipe out our sins
The resurrection was to show a new way begins
On the third day when Jesus arose
The women were aghast that the tomb was not closed
Two men in flashing clothes stood close on by
The women were frightened and did not look high
Why are you looking for the living amongst the dead?
Jesus is not here, he is raised up instead.
Jesus died a man, the prophecy now fulfilled
But was raised as a King by his father, his heavenly Kingdom to build.
He gave his life to fulfill the prophecy and pay the ransom price
Right down to his coat being cast lots over with dice.
He died to give us all a chance to live
So think about this more when chocolate eggs you do give.

Jesus Christ’s Final Days on Earth
His ride to town began with human praise.
And palm fronds paved the road that Jesus chose.
The will of God the Father Christ assays.
Upon an ass with humble heart he goes.
The lessons that he spoke on Earth’s byways,
All words he taught amid the crowd echoes.
And men began to feel the higher law.
So, on that day they greeted him in awe.
Alone amid his friends he sought to pray.
No man could understand His strength and pain.
The drinking of death’s cup for sin would pay.
The Son of God knew well he must be slain.
His fear of mortal death would come that day.
He bleeds from every pore as man’s sins reign.
Upon himself he took the flaws of all.
Submitting to God’s will that death befall.
Through trickery and lies his words were banned.
Some Sadducees distained lessons he taught.
The Pharisees paid Judas; and they planned.
Determined that Christ’s life would be for naught,
The soldiers knew the signal as preplanned.
The kiss of death sent Judas to his grave.
The news of his arrest filled all the land.
Lord, Jesus greeted wrath but he forgave.
Disciples ran away to save their lives.
The temple heard the angry shouts of hate.
Imperfect men succeeded with sins’ strives,
The hatred of the mob did not abate.
With strength Christ sought to save their afterlives.
As for the crucifixion he did wait.
In silent love he bore that bitter cup.
Because he loved our souls are lifted up.
Despised, rejected, hated by his own,
Upon the cross that perfect man was hung.
Because he loved us so, he did atone.
And since his death, great praises have been sung.
For man no longer walks through life alone.
As to the gospel faithful saints have clung.
Arising from the grave he overcame.
By righteous faith, his saints can do the same.
Copyright March 23, 2015
Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Resurrection of Christ

She was in her prime,
Her slender body
Is still intact, no wounds but
Her mouth –
It is open and her teeth
Are red . . . red and jagged,
Like an impaler’s spikes
On which many a tiny creature
Has squeaked its last.
Blunt grey eyes stare ahead
Still, not comprehending,
But blindly aware of something.
Perhaps someone should move her,
Throw her into a dustbin
Or into someone’s garden.
The unheeding traffic
Has completed its task
And sweeps blindly past.
– 2 –
Here lies McPuss,
Hit by a bus.
Requiescat in pace.

He growed to be a shepard and a man of faith and hope.
He healed the sick and feed the poor and taught people to cope.
A mother cried for the death of her son.
But to our heavenly father he had won.
He walked and taught Gods word to all mankind.
The people that he saved his words did not mind.
A mother cried for the death of her son.
But to our heavenly father he had won.
He was nailed to a cross and he died for our sins.
Buried in a tomb and in three days he rose again.
A mother cried for the death of her son.
But to our heavenly father he had won.
Teresa Skyles
Entered in Gwendolynn "What Easter means to me"contest

What once required the sacrifice,
That bloody gift of death and gore,
Of animal life to pay for sin
Is left behind and is no more.
Resurrection changes things.
Jesus Christ obeyed the Father,
Sacrificed Himself on the cross,
Evened up those holy books
That list our profit and our loss.
Resurrection changes things.
Where once we followed our understanding
And made our own decisions,
Now belonging to Jesus Christ
Our life is one of holy revisions.
Resurrection changes things.
When we're united with Jesus Christ
We're a new creature in the Son;
Our old way of life hangs dead on the cross
And life everlasting is now begun!
Resurrection changes things.
No prison doors can hold our soul.
Christ sets our spirit free
And fills our life with love and hope
That rings our world in victory.
Resurrection changes things.
So tell someone in the pain of their life
Of the freedom Jesus brings,
That sets us apart from sin and death;
How the soul that's set free sings!
Tell them: Resurrection changes things.
by E. Marshall Evans